Orixine Consulting, in partnership with Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL), has launched an innovative project aimed at reforming the public health legal framework in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. This project, known as the Nasarawa State Health Security Legal Reform Project, seeks to strengthen the state’s capacity to respond effectively to public health emergencies, ensuring alignment with the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005. The project is co-implemented by the Nasarawa State Ministries of Justice and Health, with technical guidance from Orixine and RTSL.

Project Background and Objectives

This reform effort is part of a broader national initiative inspired by the findings from Nigeria’s Joint External Evaluation (JEE) reports of 2017 and 2023, which highlighted the need for subnational entities to update their public health laws to meet international standards. Recognising the critical role that local governance plays in health security, the Nasarawa State project is designed to address gaps in the state’s public health laws and improve legal readiness for health threats.

The project has three primary objectives:
  • Legal Compliance with National and WHO Benchmarks: The project aims to ensure that Nasarawa State’s public health laws are aligned with WHO’s IHR 2005 standards and Nigeria’s national health security benchmarks. By creating a legal foundation that meets international standards, the state will be better prepared to handle public health threats effectively.
  • Strengthening Health Security Governance: A major component of the project is assessing Nasarawa’s existing public health laws to identify strengths, weaknesses, gaps, and areas for improvement. The findings will guide the drafting of new legislation that addresses these gaps and aligns with best practices in public health governance, focusing on prevention, detection, and response capacities.
  • Comprehensive Legal Assessment: The project will produce a comprehensive legal assessment report, providing a detailed analysis of the current state of public health legislation in Nasarawa. This report will serve as a reference for state authorities, policy-makers, and partners, pointing out areas where additional support or resources may be needed to enhance public health security.
Expected Outcomes

At the conclusion of the project, Nasarawa State will have a Public Health Security Law tailored to its unique needs and challenges. This reform is expected to enhance Nasarawa’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to health emergencies, setting a precedent for similar reforms across Nigeria. The new legal framework will empower the state’s health system to act swiftly in crisis situations, ensuring public health safety and compliance with international regulations.

Through the Nasarawa State Health Security Legal Reform Project, Orixine Consulting and RTSL are paving the way for stronger, more resilient public health systems, not only in Nasarawa but as a model for other states across Nigeria.